Prostate Specific Antigen, Ultrasensitive

Also known as: PSA ULTRA

Clinical Use

Use

This test is primarily used to monitor prostate cancer in patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. It is designed to detect very low levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) that may indicate residual disease or recurrence. It is not recommended for initial prostate cancer screening; for that purpose, the Prostate Specific Antigen, Total test - in conjunction with a digital rectal exam - is preferred. Elevated PSA levels can also occur due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or inflammatory conditions of the prostate and are generally not elevated in healthy individuals or those with non-prostatic carcinoma.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

PSA concentrations obtained with different test methods or kits cannot be interchangeably used. The test detects PSA concentrations but, elevated levels alone can only suggest the presence of prostate cancer; a biopsy is required for confirmation of prostate cancer. Lower limits of detection are down to 0.01 ng/mL, and the reference interval after radical prostatectomy should ideally be less than 0.05 ng/mL if no residual disease is present.

Test Details

FDA Approved

New York Approved

Methodology

Immunoassay (ECLIA)

Biomarkers

Prostate Specific Antigen

Analyte

PSA concentration

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

35741-8 - PSA SerPl DL<=0.01 ng/mL-mCnc

Result Turnaround Time

0-1 day

Specimen

Serum

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Container

ARUP Standard Transport Tube

Collection Instructions

Use Serum Separator Tube (SST). Other acceptable containers include Green (lithium heparin), Lavender (K2EDTA), or Pink (K2EDTA). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.